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| Why
Assemble?
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| Marshall Reid |
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While I was at Florida
College, I’m ashamed to say that there were times that I attended the
“Mattress Springs church of Christ.” That’s the church of sleeping
in on Sunday morning. Unfortunately, many people feel that attending the
Bible classes and worship assemblies is optional. I rationalized skipping
services because I only had 2- 3 hours of sleep and needed more than that
to function properly. Others may justify it by pointing to the fact that
the weekend is the only time they have to get things done and to rest,
especially since the week is chock full of activities like little league
practice, soccer practice, piano lessons, band practice, homework, and
science projects.
Maybe the reason some don’t
come is because they just don’t get anything out of the classes or
services anymore. Maybe the Bible class teacher just can’t teach very
well and it makes you wonder why he was chosen in the first place. Maybe
the new preacher trainee can’t preach very well. We can all make excuses
for not doing something. But allow me to give three reasons why we need to
assemble, eliminating any excuses in the process.
First, we’re commanded
to assemble. No, God didn’t directly command us saying, “Thou
shalt assemble every Sunday.” But the Hebrew writer said we are not to
forsake the assembly (Heb. 10:25). That’s as good as a direct command
since he was inspired by the Holy Spirt. If we truly want to follow the
example of the early Christians in all that we do, and if we truly want to
be pleasing to the Lord, then we won’t find ourselves making excuses for
not coming to the services. The command from Hebrews really should be all
we need to convince us of the necessity of assembling, but there are also
two very practical reasons I’ll point out.
We exhort one another. Assembling
with the saints allows us the opportunity to encourage one another, help
each other, and uplift each other. If we’re not together, how can we “consider
one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Heb. 10:24)? We
all need encouragement, and if you ever get the feeling that you just don’t
want to go to services, that’s the time you need to go the most! That
way, you receive the encouragement you need to keep going. And in turn,
you help me and everyone else just by your presence.
We grow spiritually.
One of the best benefits of assembling with the saints is the spiritual
growth that we receive. The first church “continued steadfastly in the
apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in
prayers” (Acts 2:42). Sure, you can study the Bible on your own at home,
pray at home, even partake of the Lord’s Supper at home, but a good
portion of our spiritual growth happens during the Bible classes and
worship assemblies. Part of it has to do with the encouragement we receive
as I just pointed out. But part of it also has to do with studying with
others, learning from others. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve
studied a particular passage or topic and thought I thoroughly understood
it until I heard a point made by another that I never considered. From
discussion in Bible classes and from sermons presented, we see things in a
new light. Thoughts are further explained and difficult passages become
easier. Applications to our present lives are made and suddenly the
Scriptures become even more relevant.
Not only do we grow
spiritually, but we help others to grow. There will always be someone who
can help us grow, just as there will always be someone who we can help
grow. We’re a family, a body, which means we’re concerned with each
member. We should want every person to grow, not just ourselves.
All of these principles
extend to the Bible classes as well. If there’s one thing that I will
never understand, it’s why people do not come to the Bible classes when
they have the ability to do so. I understand there are circumstances which
prevent people from attending on a regular basis, mainly health issues.
However, the same people who can make it to worship services, make it to
work, or make it to school somehow can’t make it to Bible classes. Bible
classes afford us the opportunity to nourish our spiritual health. Without
the benefit of these classes, it is easy to become malnourished and
atrophied.
If we truly want to love
and serve God with all our heart, and with all our mind, and with all our
strength (Mark 12:30), then we’ll make every effort to assemble with the
saints, no matter how inconvenient, no matter how bad the Bible class
teacher is, no matter how bad the preaching is. The Lord knew what he was
doing when he told us to assemble. Let’s encourage one another. Let’s
grow spiritually together. Let’s help each other get to heaven.
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Copyright (C)
2008
Southside Church of Christ
All rights reserved.
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